counterattacks

noun

variants or counter-attacks
plural of counterattack
as in attacks
an attack made to counter an enemy's attack suddenly the tide of battle turned, and the rebels, who had been falling back, made a furious counterattack

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of counterattacks Second balls and counterattacks Hull’s prowess at mopping up second balls is not limited to McBurnie or advanced areas. — Conor O'Neill, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026 Seth Rollins took the lead early on with several counterattacks on Roman Reigns. — Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2026 Oil prices jumped Monday morning as the latest cycle of attacks and counterattacks renewed fears of further disruption to flows through the Strait of Hormuz. — Sam Meredith, CNBC, 13 July 2026 Morocco had more talent than Paraguay, more menacing technique and tactics, and, presumably, could mount more dangerous counterattacks. — Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 10 July 2026 Under coach Sergej Barbarez, a former professional poker player, the gritty Bosnians rarely gamble, instead playing a disciplined and physical style that emphasizes compactness and swift counterattacks. — Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026 Switzerland more than doubled Bosnia and Herzegovina’s possession in the first half, but did little with it as their fellow UEFA opponent defended with numbers in hopes of pouncing on counterattacks. — Josh Gross, Oc Register, 18 June 2026 Sun Yingsha’s speed, anticipation, backhand counterattacks, and composure under pressure have made her one of the greatest table-tennis athletes of all time. — Charlie Campbell, Time, 9 June 2026 Suwon responded with counterattacks as the North Koreans struggled to clear crosses into the box, with a header from home forward Haruhi Suzuki bouncing off a post in the 21st. — ABC News, 20 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for counterattacks
  1. attacks
  2. counteroffensives
  3. assaults
  4. counterstrikes
Noun
  • One part of this offensive doctrine is the persistent but unpredictable attacks on tankers leaving the Gulf – so as to keep oil prices high.
    — Tim Lister, CNN Money, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Kyiv has stepped up its attacks on Russia this year, with long-range missiles and swarms of drones targeting military industries and energy facilities.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of attacks
Noun
  • But some officials believe Kyiv could have negotiated a peace agreement in mid-2022 if Washington had pushed its ally harder to engage in negotiations after the success of its Kherson and Kharkiv counteroffensives.
    — Dafna H. Rand, Foreign Affairs, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Ukraine’s relative successes on parts of the front line this year, such as successful localized counteroffensives in Kharkiv and Zaporizhzhia, can be credited in part to Syrsky’s focus on cultivating manpower and forming assault groups.
    — Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 16 July 2026
Definition of counteroffensives
Noun
  • According to the sheriff's office, the assaults happened along the Highway 92 corridor in Cobb, Douglas, and Paulding counties.
    — Dan Raby, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026
  • The disturbing incident comes amidst a sharp increase in both felony and misdemeanor assaults in the subway system.
    — Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of assaults
Noun
  • Dozens of Iranians have died since the last bout of strikes and counterstrikes began, and thousands since February.
    — Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 17 July 2026
  • The collapse of the ceasefire and interim agreement has led to days of strikes and counterstrikes across the region, with traffic in the crucial waterway once again largely halted as the two sides battle over it.
    — Mithil Aggarwal, NBC news, 17 July 2026
Definition of counterstrikes

Browse Nearby Words

counterattackers
counterattacks
counterbalance
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Cite this Entry

“Counterattacks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/counterattacks. Accessed 22 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on counterattacks

Nglish: Translation of counterattacks for Spanish Speakers

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